Vatican Opens Up A Palazzo Built On Ancient Roman Ruins And Housing Its Highly Secretive Tribunals

The Vatican on Tuesday opened the doors to one of Renaissance Rome’s most spectacular palazzos, normally hidden from public view since it houses some of the Holy See’s most secretive offices: the ecclesial tribunals that decide everything from marriage annulments to plenary indulgences.

The Palazzo della Cancelleria is located near the Campo dei Fiori market at the start of the Via del Pellegrino, named for the religious pilgrims who used it to walk towards St. Peter’s Basilica on the other side of the Tiber River. It was built in the late 1400s on the ruins of a paleo-Christian church as a residence for Cardinal Raffaele Riario, whose uncle, Pope Sixtus IV, is perhaps best known for having commissioned an even more spectacular masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel.

The head of the Vatican’s patrimony office, Monsignor Nunzio Galantino, invited television cameras into the imposing, block-long palazzo as part of what he said was Pope Francis’ call for the Holy See to be more transparent. For Galantino, whose office has published a consolidated Vatican budget for the past three years, that spirit of transparency extends to the Vatican’s vast real estate holdings.

“Transparency isn’t just quantitative knowledge of the patrimony; transparency also touches on knowing the qualitative patrimony,” he said, standing in one of the palazzo’s grand reception rooms that art historian Claudia Conforti said was decorated as a “colossal propaganda machine” for the then-reigning Pope Paul III.

Galantino has spearheaded the Vatican’s most recent efforts to clean up its financial act and be more forthcoming about budgets, revenue, investments and spending after a series of financial scandals again soured donors on writing checks to the Holy See. He presided over the opening to Vatican-accredited media of a palazzo normally closed to public view, but transparency doesn’t go much beyond that: The rooms aren’t being opened up to regular public tours, though they are occasionally used for conferences and private events.

Today, the Cancelleria palazzo houses three of the Vatican’s most important courts: the Roman Rota, which decides marriage annulments; the Apostolic Signatura, which handles internal church administrative cases; and the Apostolic Penitentiary, which issues indulgences, among other things. As Vatican property, it enjoys extraterritorial status equal to that of an embassy, in the heart of Rome.

During a tour of the building, which underwent a recent, years-long renovation, visitors passed by priests in cassocks pouring over canonical files in rooms decorated with frescoes of cherubs, gilded ceiling panels and tromp l’oeil columns. Off to one side was the wood-paneled library where Napoleon Bonaparte kept the imperial archives during the period in the early 1800s that Rome was his second capital.

At the end of a series of rooms where Rota-accredited lawyers are trained sat a small intimate, frescoed studio with a balcony pitched over Via del Pellegrino. Here, architect Maria Mari explained, Cardinal Riario would greet the pilgrims walking along the Pellegrino route but also the pope when he travelled from his seat across town at St. John Lateran to St. Peter’s.

The tour ended underground, where today the palazzo hosts a permanent exhibit of Leonardo da Vinci’s mechanical inventions.

In one room was a small pool fed by a canal built during the time of the Emperor Augustus (63 BC-14 AD) to drain the water from the periodic floods of the swampy area back into the Tiber. And behind a nondescript door off one of the Leonardo exhibit rooms were the ruins of the ancient paleo-Christian San Lorenzo in Damaso church, on which the palazzo was built.

BY NICOLE WINFIELD, AP

A US Tourist Got Hit With A Big Fine In Rome & He Was Eating Ice Cream In The Wrong Spot

Rome has a lot of unexpected rules!

No matter how much you enjoy your trip to Italy, a hefty fine for eating ice cream will surely throw a damper on your holiday.

One very unlucky American tourist was slapped with a €450 (US $450 or almost CA $600) fine by the Italian police for eating ice cream on the steps of a historical fountain in Rome, reported The Guardian.

The 55-year-old was sitting on the steps of the Fontana dei Catecumeni with an ice cream in one hand and a beer in the other when police caught him early Saturday morning. Officers warned him to move and find somewhere else to sit, but he didn’t listen to the authorities, resulting in the hefty fine.

The fountain was built in 1589 and is located in a cozy square in the neighbourhood of Monti, a popular spot for people to gather and socialize at night.

The fountain had been sealed off on Friday to prevent people from sitting on the steps but the tape was removed later on, so when the tourist decided to take a seat there at 1 a.m. on Saturday, he apparently wasn’t aware that he was breaking any rule.

The upset tourist protested his fine, arguing that he wasn’t aware that there was a ban on eating, drinking and sitting on the steps of Rome’s fountains, CNN reports.

The rule was introduced in 2017 along with several other bylaws aimed at bringing order and decorum to the capital — and apparently making life harder for tourists. Those other rules include bans on swimming in fountains, dragging wheeled suitcases up historical staircases and going on pub crawls.

They even banned hanging laundry out to air-dry between buildings.

So if you're planning to visit Rome anytime soon, be careful where you sit!

Source: https://www.narcity.com/

First Time Rome: A Beginner’s Guide To The Eternal City

First visit to Rome? You’re in luck. You’ll find it easy to see a lot, no matter how limited your time is. It’s good to plan ahead, but ambling aimlessly is also a joy: at times it can seem like there’s an ancient wonder around every corner. Just don’t stress about trying to see everything: for Rome, non basta una vita (‘a lifetime is not enough’).

If you don’t mind walking, the best way to see Rome’s sights is mainly on foot. Sights are concentrated in certain areas, so you can spend one day in Ancient Rome, one day in the Vatican, and so on.

Pin this imageThe Colosseum is one of the great highlights of Ancient Rome. Image by Doug Ogden / Design Pics / Getty

Highlights of Ancient Rome

Start where it all began, in the well-preserved imperial heart of Rome. Blow your mind at the Colosseum, which lies beside the ruined Roman Forum, the social and political hub of the empire. Nearby are the splendid Capitoline Museums, packed with classical and Renaissance art, and the Palatine, which was ancient Rome’s Beverley Hills, home to the rich and powerful, overlooking the ancient chariot-racing track Circo Massimo. To skip the often lengthy queues, book ahead online at coopculture.it for the Colosseum, Roman Forum and Palatine, which are all covered by a single ticket.

Pin this imageThe Pantheon's dome is a unique feat of Roman engineering. Image by Pablo Cersosimo / Robert Harding World Imagery / Getty

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Visiting Rome with kids: gladiators, gardens and gelatoA perfect day in Trastevere, Rome's favourite neighbourhood40 free things to do in Rome

A tour of the Centro Storico

Only a short walk, and you’re in Rome’s historic centre. All of the main sights here are free and easy to visit in a meandering wander, stopping for lunch, a coffee or ice cream for an energy burst. Don’t miss the Pantheon, a magnificently preserved ancient Roman temple, with a circular hole in the huge domed roof open to the heavens. A couple of streets away is the splendid Piazza Navona, Rome’s elegant showcase square. A short amble further and you’re at the foaming, massive Trevi Fountain, and the baroque Spanish Steps, a grand stairway that’s perfect for taking a perch and watching the world go by. Close by, the Piazza del Popolo is an impressive oval-shaped square complete with an Egyptian obelisk, home to some wonderful Caravaggio masterpieces in the Santa Maria del Popolo church.

Pin this imageToss a coin into the Trevi Fountain to ensure a return trip to Rome. Image by L. Toshio Kishiyama / Moment Select / Getty

The glories of the Vatican

St Peter’s Basilica is Christendom’s grandest church, the seat of Catholicism, and a vast art-filled exercise in awe. The Vatican Museums proffer miles of cultural wealth, with the highlights being the Michelangelo-decorated Sistine Chapel, and a suite of rooms decorated by Raphael. Close to the Vatican is the imposing Castel Sant’Angelo, built as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum and later turned into a fortress.

Pin this imageCrossing the bridge towards Castel Sant'Angelo. Image by RilindH / RooM / Getty

Local colour in Trastevere

This vivacious neighbourhood bursts with charisma, home to ochre- and orange-coloured, ivy-hung buildings and medieval churches that glitter with mosaics. Trastevere buzzes with life in the evening – come here for restaurants on cobbled lanes and bars whose conviviality flows out over the narrow streets.

Pin this imageEvening in Trastevere. Image by Tim E White / Photolibrary / Getty

Where (and what) to eat

You can eat well in Rome, whatever your budget, just try to skirt the tourist trap places around major sights. Avoid places where waiters hang around outside to lure you in, and look for places in backstreets around the main tourist sights rather than plumping for the nearest place. If in doubt, try one of our recommendations.

Some of Rome’s best meals are to be had in family-run trattorias like Cacio e Pepe near the Vatican, Armando al Pantheon in the historic centre, or Da Augusto in Trastevere. These places have been the same since time began, serving up traditional Roman dishes such as amatriciana (pasta with bacon and tomato), cacio e pepe (with cheese and pepper) or carbonara (with bacon and egg). The heartland of Roman cuisine is Testaccio, just across the Tiber River from Trastevere, with recommendations including Flavio Al Velavevodetto. For traditional Roman-Jewish cuisine, featuring dishes such as deep-fried artichoke, head for the Ghetto neighbourhood, to Nonna Betta or Piperno.

Pin this imageDining out in the Ghetto neighbourhood. Image by Giorgio Cosulich / Stringer / Getty

Another classic Roman experience is pizza, served up in no-nonsense interiors by brusque waiters on a mission, with paper-thin crusts laden with fresh, hot toppings. Favourite pizzerias include Da Ivo in Trastevere, Pizzeria Montecarlo in the historic centre, and Da Remo in Testaccio. For lunch on the run, Rome’s many pizza al taglio (‘by the slice’) joint, such as Forno di Campo de’Fiori, Roscioli, and Pizzarium, serve up some of the city’s most delicious fast food.

Where to stay

There’s masses of choice of accommodation in Rome, from exclusive five-star designer townhouse hotels, to spartan rooms in convents, so you can take your pick. It pays, however, to book well in advance, especially for popular places.

Pin this imageLook for accommodation near Piazza Navona if you want plenty of bars and restaurants within walking distance. Image by Thomas Trutschel / Photothek / Getty

To have everything on your doorstep and feel the Roman romance, it’s best to choose somewhere in the historic centre. Here major sites and hoards of bars and restaurants are within walking distance, or a short hop on a bus or metro. The best areas to search are around Piazza Navona, the Pantheon or Campo de’Fiori. Another great area to check out is the cool bohemian district of Monti, as short walk from the Colosseum and Termini station, and full of bijou restaurants, wine bars and shops.

If you’re on a tight budget, the Termini area around Rome’s main station has some cheaper sleeps. It’s full of 19th-century buildings and feels a bit run down in places, but is convenient for the station.

Transport

From Rome's main international airport, known as Fiumicino or Leonardo Da Vinci, the fastest way to reach the city is on the Leonardo Express train to Termini station (30 minutes, €14). From budget-airline hub Ciampino airport, the best option is to take one of the dedicated airport bus services (45 minutes; around €6). Taxis have fixed-price fares from Fiumicino (45 to 60 minutes depending on traffic; €48) and Ciampino (approximately 30 minutes; €30).

Rome’s metro, buses and trams are an efficient and fairly cheap way of getting around the city, but can be busy in the rush hours (9-10am and 4-7pm).

Practical tips

Packing: Take some comfortable shoes, but also pack something smart as Romans love to look good and most people dress up when going out in the evening.

Tipping: Locals usually just leave a couple of euros or some loose change when paying the bill at the end of a meal. Taxi drivers and bartenders don’t expect tips.

Timing: Be aware that in the summer months it gets extremely hot, so avoid outdoor sightseeing during the hottest part of the day. That said, lunchtime can be a good time to find major sights a little less busy, if you can cope with the heat.

by Abigail Blasi·

Read more: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/travel-tips-and-articles/first-time-rome-a-beginners-guide-to-the-eternal-city#ixzz3mm5C3Vl1

Rome Attractions: What To See And Do In Autumn

Cultural highlights in Rome this season, from festivals to exhibitions, including expert recommendations on where to stay.

There’s no real off season in the Eternal City. Rome is a city that combines the intimacy and human scale of a village with the cultural draws of a European metropolis.In Rome, classical ruins and early Christian places of worship stand next to – or lie beneath – Renaissance palazzos and Baroque fountains. But there are also great nneighborhood trattorias, quirky shops and a buzzing aperitivo scene. The city’s mild Mediterranean climate is another persuasive draw for visitors from the cool north.

With romani flooding back from their August exodus, the city now returns to its usual, chaotic, working rhythm. Any visitor seeking a quieter stay will have to wait until late November, or come well after the Christmas and New Year rush is over.

Here are some of the events to look out for this autumn.

Estate Romana 
Until September 30

The “Roman Summer” actually carries through slightly beyond the summer months. This is the umbrella term for the citywide programme of open-air concerts, dance and theatre performances, cinema screenings and other events that animate Rome through the hotter months. Highlights include the Isola del Cinema film festival on the Tiber Island (estateromana.comune.roma.it)

• Hotel pick: Campo de' Fiori is a romantic refuge at the heart of the centro storico which has a secret roof terrace and is great value formoney.

Buenos Aires Tango 
12-21 September

Buenos Aires Tango Festival is celebrated by professional dancers and musicians as well as amateurs who take part in classes and dance evenings at a specially created "milonga" with a true Argentinean atmosphere (auditorium.com)

Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma 
October 16-25

The 9th Rome Film will take place at the Auditorium Parco della Musica designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano. For the ten days of the festival the building complex will be the centre of attraction for professionals, journalists, and film buffs, exhibitions, events and debates (romacinemafest.it)

• Hotel pick: The nearest hotel to the Auditorium-Parco della Musica is theLord Bryon, a five-star hotel offering elegant interiors and an elegant restaurant with an award-winning wine list.

La Notte dei Musei
Mid-October

Held in mid-October, this event sees over 90 Roman museums and cultural spaces opening their doors, free, from 8pm to 2am.en.(museiincomuneroma.it)

• Hotel pick: Residenza Torre Colonna is a Rome hotel offering contemporary interiors, spacious rooms and spectacular views of Trajan market from its roof terrace, close to the Capitoline hill and Doria Pamphilj galleries

RomaEuropa Festival 
September-October

A top-class programme of avant-garde dance, music and drama events bringing troupes, orchestras and acts from all over the world (romaeuropa.net)

• Hotel pick: Suites Trastevere is a cheap Rome hotel offering charming rooms, good breakfasts and a funky communal kitchen.

Ognissanti/Giornata dei Defunti
Nov 1-2

Also known as All Saints' Day is followed by La commemorazioni dei defunti, which is when the pope celebrates mass at Verano Cemetery and Romans travel en masse to visit family graves.

• Hotel pick: Villa Spalletti Trivelli is a luxury Rome hotel offering exceptional service and impressive breakfasts within walking distance of the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain.

Contributed by Lee Marshall, 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

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